Page 9 of An Archer's Redemption

“Could she inhabit another person, like she did with Isabel?” I asked.

“Perhaps.” Kelså stared into the distance. “If she did, she would not want to inhabit just anyone. She would want someone with a strong Gift.”

“That could be any number of people, though I suspect that number is much smaller now.”

Kelså thought a moment. “She would also want someone with a weak mind so she could control them. That would be a hard combination to find. Most of those with powerful Gifts have a mind to match, making their ability to repel Compulsion far greater. Based on what you have told me—and what you learned from Keelan—she gained most of her power from the crown, which is now missing.”

“But if she found the right host, and then found the crown . . .”

“Declan, I wish you could stay here forever, but youneedto leave.” She stood. “You may be the only one strong enough to find and contain Irina.”

My eyes widened. “How am I supposed to do that?”

“I . . . I do not know.” She stepped around the table and rested her hand on my shoulder. “All I know is that you must try. There is no one else who stands any hope of facing her, especially if she rises to power again.”

I stood on the porch of the Keeper’s cottage, staring into my mother’s eyes.

“Seeing you again was more than my heart hoped for,” she said. “Please come back when you can.”

I moved onto the first step and wrapped her in a tight embrace. “If I had my choice, I would never leave this place again. I love you, Mother.”

Kelså swallowed hard, as if to hold back her tears, then pulled away from my embrace and slapped my chest teasingly.

“Don’t you dare make me cry again, Declan Rea.”

I smirked and gave her a peck on the cheek.

Ayden chuckled a little too loudly.

“And you, Ayden Byrne.” Kelså marched around me and poked him in the chest with a finger. “You take care of my boy, or the Phoenix and I will hunt you down. You hear me?”

Ayden’s eyes widened as they shifted from Kelså to me.

“Can she—?”

Kelså and I burst out laughing.

“She’s yanking your chain, lordling.”

“Oh,” he said, returning his gaze to hers but not losing a bit of his childlike trepidation.

Kelså cupped his cheek as she so often did mine. “You are my son now, too. I will think of you often. You boys come home to me, please.”

Before Ayden could think of a witty retort, Kelså grabbed him and hugged him close. When she pulled back, his eyes held more than a little moisture.

“Oh, I should’ve mentioned this before,” I said.

“Uh-oh.” Ayden found his smirk again.

Kelså spun and planted her fists on her hips. “What is it, Declan Rea? I know that tone.”

I lowered my head and muttered, “So . . . I kind of told Keelan.”

Kelså’s arms crossed, and her already arching brow rose further.

“Yeah. So, I told him about . . . um . . . well . . .” I looked down, trying to avoid her gaze. “I told him abouteverything, but I used magic to bind him to silence and mask the knowledge in his mind. He can’t speak about it, even if Compelled.”

Her mouth set as she gripped my arm. “What is done cannot be undone. But son, no one else.Ever. Do you hear me?”

---